¯¯    Latest update    ¯¯                    

background

1960 PA Cresta

2007 to 2009?

 

With this conversion I wasn’t going to compromise on performance, have always

longed for a V8. Never fancied a Rover or an American, it’s all been done before,

besides I always like to do things differently. As always the donor car was crucial,

options were BMW 5 series, Lexus LS400 or Jaguar XJR, they were all possible

with the PA. I also needed to purchase a complete car, and to keep costs down

preferably one with damage, but not on the chassis.

 

The Lexus has only 280 BHP, BMW were always high mileage or were too expensive,

so that left the Jaguar. The pre 1998 models have 322 BHP but after 98 that goes

up to 370 with the 4 litre V8 supercharger.

 

Then in August 2007 Universal Salvage had a 2001 V8 with 77,000 miles up for

auction, after 3 attempts with it not reaching its reserve, they relented and sold

it to me for £1850, (£600 below my top bid in the first auction). Amazingly it

came with premium sound system, satellite navigation, cruise control, air con,

phone system, leather interior etc. etc. all will be fitted in the PA.

 

                                       

PACestaoriginal

 

Looks nice here in sunny Jersey, but was hiding rust and structural horrors

 

Next I bought a PA from Colin Clarke in Jersey. I suspected the car was probably

beyond economic restoration, having been patched up by a previous owner to Colin

many years before, but it was ideal for my purposes. On stripping the car down it

was worse than I imagined, the repairs done probably 15 years ago were not good,

the floor and sills were totally rotten, the car was starting to drop in the middle.

This made me feel better, because I wasn’t going to cut up a good restorable

example, this car could only have been used for spares.

 

The plans for this project are to keep the entire floor of the Jaguar including the sills.

Not only are the sills the same shape and width apart as the Cresta, but also

because they form part of the structure they are incredibly strong.

 

                                        

mockup

 

Because the bonnet and front wings will need extending, Jonathan had the great

idea to convert her into a 2 door. This will improve the proportions; see the mock-up

above I made up on the computer. The colours are only an idea at the moment;

the cream would match the leather seats. Knowing my track record on choosing

paint I’ll probably change my mind. The wheels are also from the Jaguar, note

the rear wheel sits further back because of the Jaguars slightly longer wheelbase.

 

                                                   

370bhp

 

  This will look good in the Cresta, 370 BHP as well

 

XJRInterior

 

  Most of the interior will be used, with some colour changes

 

What follows is a progress report on

the restoration and

customising of the Cresta.

 

This is my fifth update on the Cresta/Jaguar hybrid

 

At last all the welding has been done, it’s been a long and eventful task.

There have been lots of problem solving; by far the most complex has been

the amalgamating and lengthening the doors. Getting everthing to

work together has been a nightmare, because I wanted to keep the

electric windows and central door locking from the Jaguar, and of course

it needed to open and close properly. Everything works great with a nice solid

thud when they are closed.

 

This photo shows the roll over bar I made to link to the new

positioned ‘B’ posts. The flat strips running down each side are for the headlining.

 

 rollbar_w

 

This photo shows the inner door framework; of course this will be hidden

once I build the new bespoke door cards. I am really looking forward

to the trimming, a change from all that welding.

 

inner_door_w

 

I then spent 3 weeks hard work shaping the panels, especially where there

were joins in the front and rear wings. The only panels that didn’t need

work were the roof and boot lid, these happen to be the only 2 panels

that are original in shape. Then applied etch primer and 10 litres of 2 pack

primer and she is ready for my friends at Bolam Crash Repairs to do

there magic and paint her blue and cream.

 

To see her for the first time outside and all one colour you really now can

get a feel how the car will finally look. The 2 door proportions I think are

just right and most important it stills looks like a Cresta even with

the slightly different shaped body panels. With the windscreen fitted in, the

bonnet appears shorter.

 

primer_1w

 

The hole in the offside front wing edge is for fresh air supply to the engine.

 

primer_2w

 

There will be an extra panel under the rear bumper to cover up the spare

wheel bulge, this will also house the reversing and rear fog lights. 

 

primer_3w 

 

You can see the shape of the wheel arches here; I tried to keep them

as subtle as possible even though they have to accommodate

18-inch 255x45 tyres

 

primer_4w

 

Initially I thought lengthening the bonnet was going to be tricky, but after

one false attempt and a change of mind it went together nicely.

From the driving position it doesn’t look too long, it should be fine to

pull out from junctions, certainly no worse than an E Type Jaguar.

I will be using AeroCatch Bonnet Pins to secure the bonnet as Jonathan

did on his Viva Cabriolet; I was impressed how they performed.

BMW tailgate struts help in lifting the heavy bonnet and bespoke hinges

replace the Renault ones I first fitted, they were just not up to the job.

A stainless steel grill under the front bumper will link the front wings to

allow cooling air onto the supercharger, oil and air con radiators.

 

primer_6w

 

primer_7w

 

The next update will be an appendix to this one when I get it back from

the painters in about 3 months. Then starts the rebuilding

and making the new interior.

 

To see a history of this project click on 'Cresta history'

as usual if you would like to be notified about the next update  please e-mail me
paulnov21@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 
 
  Site Map